Breaker-abm gauge



A. s. ADLER BREAKER ARM GAUGE Filied Nov. 22, 1924 Jan. :25, 1927. 1,615,297 v I l H M 14 M 8 INVENTOR.

Azfla 5, jaile Patented Jan. 25, 192?.

ALFRED S. ADLEE, OE DETROTT, MICHIGAN.

BREAKER-ARM GAUGE.

Application filed November 22, 1924. Serial 110. 751,535.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in a breaker arm gauge, adapted for indicating the adjustment of the movable breaker arm to the desired tension, so as to provide means which will positively indicate the adjustment of the movable breaker arm to that position where the desired tension is had.

The breaker arm to which reference is made, is the breaker arm used for carrying the movable contact which is used with a spark coil interposed in the ignition system of automobiles. Although the invention may be adapted for use with breaker arms of different types, it is illustrated in the drawings, as used with a breaker arm carried by the spark coil of an automobile of the Ford type. The breaker arm referred. to is generally formed from resilient metal and anchored at one end to the housing of the spark coil, the free end carrying a con tact which is adapted to engage the stationary contacts for closing the circuit through the primary coil. Forthe most efficient operation of the coil, it is desired that this arm, carrying the movable contact, be of a certain tension, so that the movable contact may be moved out of engagement with the stationary contact, by the application of a certain strain or pull on the movable arm. Various complicated devices have been originated for indicating the proper tension of the movable arm, but such devices are of a complicated structure and are inaccurate in their operation. The present invention has as its object, the provision of a gauge adapted for determining the proper tension of the movable arm, which will'be simple in structure, economical of manufacture and highly e'fiicient in use.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a gauge of this class which is solely gravity operated.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed. The invention will be best understood for a reference to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a spring coil housing, showing the invention applied to the contact arm.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the in vention, applied to the contact arm with parts broken away and parts in section.

The spring coil which embodies the usual coil and core, is mounted in a suitable housmg 7 having terminal contacts 8 and 9. The

. metallic stationary arm 10 is shown mounted on the coil box in the usual manner. Secured to the under surface of this metallic stationary arm 10, is a spring 11, projecting downwardly from which is the stationary contact 12. In the structure commonly used, this contact is generally termed stationary, although it is not strictly a stationary con tact. However, the generally accepted terms are used in the description of the structure of the coil connections, inasmuch as the same form no part in the present invention. Mounted on the housing 7, is a movable arm 15, which is connected adjacent one end, to a suitable spring 16, which is mounted on the housing 7. The free end of the arm 15 is enlarged to provide a circular disk-like portion 14, carrying a contact 18, adapted for engagement with the contact 12. Pro jecting from the upper end of the housing 7 is the core 22, the contacts being positioned centrally over the core.

A separation of the contacts 12 and 13 serves to interrupt the flow of current through the primary circuit, and the tension of the arm 15 should be such that the contacts 12 and 13 will be separated upon exerting the proper pull on the disk 14. The tension of the arm 15 may be regulated by slightly flexing the same, relatively, to its support 16, shimming or by screws operated as desired. My invention comprises a weight having a main body 17 with spaced legs 18, projecting outwardly from one end thereof, the outer surface of these legs being curved to conform to the curve of the main body 17. Intermediate the main body 17 and the end of the legs 18, the legs are reduced as at 19, so that the ends of these legs are flaring. Formed in the inner face of the legs is a recess 20, to provide a flange 21 so that when the disk-like portion 14 is engaged between the legs 18, the flange 21 will extend around a portion of the periphery of the disk-like portion 14 so as to prevent lateral displacement of the weight from the disk-like portion 14. The weight 17 is of such size that when placed upon the disk-like portion 14, it will serve to flex this portion downwardly so as to disengage the contacts 12 and 13, moving these contacts to a separation of a predetermined distance depending upon the tension of the arm 15. The

size of the weight may be proportioned to the tension desired on the arm 15, Weight 17 being of such size that when placed upon the disk-like portion 14, it will move the disk-like portion into that position relatively to the core 22, where it will be spaced there from the same distance as the contacts 12 and 13 will be spaced. Upon placing the weight upon the disk-like portion 14;, the operator may then observe the position of the free end of the breaker arm and so adjust it at its mounted end as to bring the free end will indicate a tension productive of the greatest efficiency.

It is thus seen that I have provided a device adapted for indicating the tension of the movable breaker arm, which is simple in structure and which is operated solely by gravity.

\Vhile I have illustrated and described the preferred form of constructure, I do not wish to limit myself to the precise details of structure shown, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device adapted for use with a movable breaker arm co-operating with a stationary breaker arm located above the movable arm, said device having a predetermined weight and comprising a main body portion and a pair of legs projecting from into the desired position, which said main body portion for straddling without engaging said stationary breaker arm and for engaging the free end of said movable breaker arm.

2. A device of the class described comprising a main body portion and a pair of spaced legs projecting from one end of said body portion, said legs having an inner surface of contour to correspond with the contour of the engaged portion of the free end. of a breaker arm with which said device is to be used, and a shoulder formed on the inner surface of each of said legs for engaging the upper surface of the free end of said breaker arm.

3. A device of the class described, comprising a main body portion and a pair of spaced legs projecting from one end of said portion, said legs having an inner surface of contour to correspond with the contour of the engaged portion of the free end of a breaker arm with which said device is to be used, there being a shoulder formed on the inner surface of each of said legs for engaging the upper surface of the free end of said breaker arm, and a flange projecting outwardly from said shoulder axially of said main body portion for engaging the edges of said breaker arm for limiting movement of said body relatively to said breaker arm when in engagement therwith transversely thereof.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

ALFRED S. ADLER 

